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Shopify’s Flagship Competition

Build a Business is one of the world’s biggest entrepreneurial contests. Since the launch of the program in 2010, we’ve seen thousands of companies start and grow successful businesses using Shopify under the tutelage of the world’s best business minds.

Previous winners

Find out who won, what they created, and their best advice for new business owners.

Arts, Jewelry & Crafts

Carbon6

Utah, USA

Benchmark demand and fair pricing by looking on sites like Etsy,
eBay, and Amazon, in addition to what’s sold in more conventional
outlets. The internet has liberated startups from the need of brick
and mortar stores. Now, the whole world is your audience. If you
find something you’re passionate about, you no longer have to be in
a location with a concentrated community of people interested in
your product. With seven billion people in the world, even if only
0.1% of people are interested in the things you like, that’s a
community of seven million people.

Nora

Ontario, Canada

Forget the romantic notion of suddenly quitting your day job and
starting a business. Every business starts as a project. Take your
ideas seriously, foster them, and be your own toughest critic. Ask
yourself if your idea is really worth all the effort it will take to
get off the ground. The only way to know is to start with small
steps, and let the success of your project convince you. You will
know when it’s time.

Happy Trunk Apparel

B.C., Canada

Get ready for a wild ride! The path that takes you to success might
be completely different than what you had in mind. Be ready to adapt.
The freedom you get from running your own business is worth any
amount of struggle it will take to become successful. Keep modifying
your approach and measuring your results until you find success. The
only way you can lose is if you stop trying.

iSwegway

Lancashire, England

To anyone thinking about starting their own business, I would say to
absolutely go for it. When starting out with iSwegway, we faced a
lot of doubt and discouragement—not only from people we knew, but
because of the media’s perception of the board. So go with your gut!